With temperatures expected to reach highs in the upper 80s Thursday, The Salvation Army of Zanesville is opening its doors to the public as a cooling station. 

Anyone needing an escape from the heat can stop by the facility on Putnam Avenue to sit in the air conditioning and drink cold water between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Additionally, The Salvation Army is accepting donations of fans to distribute to those in the community who need them.

While the EMA office is not officially opening a cooling station, Director Jeff Jadwin advised utilizing facilities such as public libraries or the Colony Square Mall if The Salvation Army is inaccessible to residents.

Jadwin also said senior citizens can utilize the Muskingum County Center for Seniors in Downtown Zanesville to get out of the heat. 

The National Weather Service has placed Muskingum County under an excessive heat watch from noon Friday through 8 p.m. Saturday. During that time, the heat index is expected to reach 104 degrees with actual temperatures in the lower 90s. 

According to the NWS, the heat and humidity could cause heat stress when working outdoors or spending extended periods of time outside. 

The public is advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors.